World Hepatitis Day

World Hepatitis Day, observed May 19, aims to raise global awareness of hepatitis B and hepatitis C and encourage prevention, diagnosis and treatment.

Approximately 500 million people worldwide have either hepatitis B or hepatitis C. This represents 1 in 12 people, and was the basis for the 2008 [http://www.aminumber12.org World Hepatitis Day "Am I Number 12?" campaign] . If left untreated and unmanaged, hepatitis B or C can lead to advanced liver scarring (cirrhosis) and other complications including liver cancer or liver failure. Every year 1.5 million people die from either hepatitis B or C.cite press release|title=World Hepatitis Alliance Calls on Governments to Take Urgent Action to Tackle Chronic Viral Hepatitis B & C Epidemic; 2008|url=http://www.aminumber12.org/Content/PDF/news_0004.pdf|work=World Hepatitis Day: Home Page|publisher=World Hepatitis Alliance|accessdate=2008-08-18]

World Hepatitis Day is led by the World Hepatitis Alliance, which represents 200 patients groups and organizations including The Hepatitis C Trust, the European Liver Patient Association and the Chinese Foundation for Hepatitis Prevention & Control.

See also

* Hepatitis B
* Hepatitis B in China
* Hepatitis C
* List of people with hepatitis C
* World AIDS Day
* World Cancer Day

References

Notes

External links

* [http://www.worldhepatitisday.com World Hepatitis Day] World Hepatitis Alliance
* [http://www.hepctrust.org.uk/the-hepatitis-c-trust/World+Hepatitis+Day+2008+Whats+Happening/ World Hepatitis Day] Hepatitis C Trust UK
* [http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5719a1.htm Viral Hepatitis Awareness --- May 2008] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention U.S.
* [http://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/ Viral Hepatitis] Centres for Disease Control and Prevention U.S.
* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OmReWYmouq8 World Hepatitis Day 2008] YouTube video